The new year has a funny way of making us reflective. There is the urge to set big goals and lock into a new routine, but often you can find yourself in the same old routine. Don’t get us wrong, consistency is great! There is comfort in the ritual of the same warmup you love, maybe you have an elaborate chalk ritual to get you in the right headspace. But sometimes a small shake-up is exactly what you need to spark new motivation, break through a plateau, or just make climbing feel fresh and fun again.
If your sessions have started to feel a little… samey, here are three easy ways to mix things up and keep the stoke high.
Board climbing is often perceived as having a reputation. It looks intimidating and unfriendly to beginners. Thers is lights and an app you have to download. Instagram is full of people doing crazy moves on them that you weren’t even sure were possible. And there are usually strong boulder crushers camped underneath it, staring intensely at their fingers. All fair observations.
But here’s the thing: boards, especially the Kilter Board, are an incredibly fun and useful tool for climbers of all levels. Most Kilter Boards are adjustable, which means they can be set to friendlier angles, and there are problems starting as low as V0. You don’t have to be a training nerd or a V10 crusher to give it a go.
Board climbing is also surprisingly social. Problems are shared globally, so you’re climbing the same sequences as folks all over the world. It also has the capability to set your own problems, where you can try out being a routesetter! So grab a buddy, pick a few climbs, take turns falling off, laugh about it, and boom, you’ve just had your first board sesh.
Climbing is better with people. Full stop.
Our gyms host a ton of events designed to make the space feel more connected and less intimidating. From run clubs and affinity groups to social meetups and member nights, these events are a great way to meet new faces and maybe even find your go-to climbing crew.
If you’ve been showing up solo and sticking to your headphones, this is your sign to check out your gym’s event calendar and try something new. You don’t have to commit forever. Just show up once, see how it feels, and go from there. Worst-case scenario, you climb a little. Best case, you leave with new friends and plans for the next session.
If you always boulder, try rope climbing. If you always chase grades, try chasing movement. If you always project, try a volume day where the goal is just to climb a ton of different things.
Sometimes the biggest refresh comes from shifting your focus instead of your schedule. Pick a session where you downclimb everything. Or climb only slabs. Or climb without looking at the grade at all. Give yourself permission to explore instead of perform.
Climbing doesn’t always have to be about sending harder. It can be about moving better, learning something new, or just enjoying being on the wall.
A new year doesn’t require a total overhaul. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in focus, a new angle to see the gym with fresh eyes, to remind you why you fell in love with climbing in the first place.
Here’s to fresh routines, new friends, and trying new things in 2026. See you in the gym. 🧗